Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes
Monday, 8. May 2023
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada